No. VI. 
ACCOUNT OF THE ISLE OF FRANCE.* 
THE climate in the Isle of France is generally considered 
ratber healthy than otherwise, especially about the centre of 
the island. In the vicinity of Port Louis, the principal ren- 
dezvous for shipping, and the seat of government, the heat in 
the months of October, November, and December, is parti- 
cularly oppressive, and at times would be insupportable if it 
were not for the sea breezes which generally set in towards 
the evening. About the latter end of January the hurricanes 
usually commence; their duration is about two months, and 
they are frequently very destructive to shipping, plantations, 
and houses. 
One observation, which tends in some degree to militate 
against the opinion generally entertained of the healthiness 
of the island is, that among the generality of the inhabit- 
ants, there are not any remarkable appearances of longevity ; 
nor are there any instances of that nature on record. 
The productions of the island are sugar, ebony, a little 
indigo^ and cotton : the latter article is inferior to that which 
grows at Bourbon ; but Port Louis is the general mart for 
all the products of Bourbon and the other islands ; and in 
order that the other islands may be wholly dependent on the 
Isle of France or Mauritius, the government levy a heavy 
duty on all products of the other islands, when exported 
from the place of growth direct. Sugar is not permitted to 
be cultivated on any of the islands, except Mauritius, in 
order that the other islands may be dependent on her for 
that necessary article. 
The planters in the Isle of France manufacture a species 
of arrack or rum, but of an inferior quality. The manioc or 
* Written, at my desire, by a gentleman who had far some time been u 
resident at Port Louis. — J. C. 
